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Instead of flying 18 hours to travel to Asia, Hoosiers can experience the many dimensions of Asia in their own backyard. The 10th annual Asian Fest is Sunday, June 11, 2017, 12-5 pm, at the Indiana State Museum in downtown Indianapolis. This year, the festival’s spotlight is on Japan. Admission is free.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Asian population more than doubled in Indiana in the last decade, bringing with them a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. This is a chance to interact and learn about their cultures, and enjoy food, music and dance. More information at www.aaalliance.org/asian-fest

Asian Fest is hosted by Asian American Alliance, Inc., a local, nonprofit, pan-Asian organization whose mission is to empower Asian Americans to serve and lead in businesses and communities. Visit www.aaalliance.org to learn more.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church is pleased to announce the ethnic event of the summer, Friday/Saturday, June 9-10, 2017, from 5 to 11 pm each day at the historic Catholic Church, 520 Stevens Street (and surrounding Lacy Park), Indianapolis, Indiana.

During the event, the area will transform into an outdoor Italian festival and celebration. The annual summer event offers free admission and a treat for the senses. Food tickets are available at the festival entrance.

“Every year, we are thrilled to invite the community to this exciting event that brings together the best in local entertainment, fantastic food and cultural fun,” said Holy Rosary Father C. Ryan McCarthy. “During the Italian Street Festival, everyone is invited to experience our tradition.”

New to the festival is an exceptional, music line-up, including four of Indy’s most popular acts. Local favorite and Headliner The Woomblies will entertain on Friday evening, along with Fort Wayne favorite Oferle.

Saturday’s line-up includes Spinrut and the Indy Nile Band beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans of Caruso and Frank Sinatra will also be entertained as classic Italian pop music favorites are played over the Festival public address system.

The Italian Street Festival features over 25 different Italian meats, pastas, salads and desserts. There also is dancing, carnival rides and games for everyone.

25 food stands in a festive, ethnic setting are decorated with strands of lights, and Italian music and an old-world style procession and Mass add to the ambiance.

There is free parking in the Eli Lilly lots on East and New Jersey Streets.

On Friday and Saturday afternoon of the festival, the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana will host Bocce demonstrations. All are welcome to play bocce at the courts in Lacy Park, or learn how to play the historic Italian game. The Lacy Park Bocce Courts are located at McCarty and Greer Street at the south end of the Church.

Additionally, there is a 7 pm mass on Saturday, June 10 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Before Mass at 6:45 pm, a colorful, Italian religious procession will pass through the food booth area with a Blessed Virgin statue, priests, servers and members of the Italian Heritage Society.

The Italian Street Festival organizers strive to create a fun, family-friendly environment where one can experience Italian American culture by providing the best in Italian cuisine, entertainment, Italian goods and service.

Striving for excellence in promoting the Indianapolis Italian-American community, the Parish of Holy Rosary and the City of Indianapolis, Holy Rosary Church and the Italian Street Festival are 501c-3 entities. Proceeds from the annual Festival support the Church Operation Fund.

Once again this week a reader asked, via email, “What are the best events in Indiana?” Hmmm…talk about a loaded question! That’s kind of like trying to name Indy’s best burger (which is sure to provoke an argument) or trying to answer the eternal question: “What is Hip?” (sometimes hipness is what it ain’t). One person’s pleasure is another’s poison.

Nevertheless, in an attempt to address the question, I’m going to offer ten of my personal favorite events in Indianapolis and Indiana. I’m well aware that others would likely choose an entirely different list, because we all have our own likes and dislikes.

Also, if I lived in South Bend or Fort Wayne or Evansville or elsewhere, I’m certain my list might be different. So please don’t send vehement text messages or emails saying something like, “I can’t believe you left the Three Rivers Festival off your list,” or “Why didn’t you include the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival?” or “Where’s the Covered Bridge Festival on your list?” (But I would like to hear your choices in the comments section below.)

Matter Park in Marion, Indiana, about 90 minutes north of Indianapolis, presents the Christmas City Walkway of Lights every November/December. For $5 you can drive your car load of passengers through the park and see a huge variety of colorful and visually-appealing holiday light displays, with millions of lights, featuring everything from the IU logo to the 12 days of Christmas. Be sure to time your visit so you arrive just after dark. It’s even cooler if you park your car and walk through the park. Your kids will love it. See http://www.walkwayoflights.org/

#9. St. Joan of Arc French Market

French Market at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church at 46th and Central Avenue in Indianapolis holds its parish festival every summer in August. I finally made it to the French Market in 2015 and was enthralled by the laid-back, easy-going setting, the big crowd, the variety of French cuisine, and the many vendors and activities in a beautiful neighborhood setting. Admission is free, but parking in the neighborhood can be a challenge. See http://www.sjoa.org/frenchmarket/

St. Christopher Catholic Church conducts an annual parish festival each summer in July. I love this festival for its neighborhood setting in Speedway on Indy’s west side at 16th and Lynhurst, plus its excellent variety of cuisine and carnival rides. Admission is free, but finding parking in the neighborhood can be a challenge. It’s pay-as-you-go at the food booths and rides. See http://indyfestival.com/

The Indians are the AAA minor league baseball team in Indianapolis. They play their home games at Victory Field, 501 West Maryland Street, in downtown Indy. I love to go out to the ball park because the action is up close and personal, tickets are reasonably priced in the $10-15 range, and the skyline of Indianapolis presents a beautiful backdrop for a baseball game. Monday Dollar Nights offer hot dogs, peanuts, potato chips, Cracker Jack and popcorn for just $1 each. See http://indyindians.com/

This is a colorful event held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Carmel, Indiana each summer in August. The Greek food is plentiful, the Middle Eastern dancing and music is so enjoyable, and the sanctuary inside the church is breathtaking. Be prepared for long lines in the food court, and you may have to park at Marsh Supermarket more than a mile away on Michigan Road and wait for a shuttle bus to transport you to the church. See http://indygreekfest.org/

I love the Italian Street Festival at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 520 Stevens Street in Indianapolis, across the street from the Eli Lilly Company. The food is terrific (the four-layer carrot cake is unforgettable), the neighborhood atmosphere is enjoyable, admission is free, and I can usually find free parking across the street from the church. By now you are probably thinking that I’m a devout Catholic based on my selections thus far, but I’m not. I just love a good festival. See http://www.indyitalianfest.org/

#4. Indiana Flower and Patio Show

Indiana Flower and Patio Show at the State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

This show is held each spring at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, in Indianapolis. It’s a great event with colorful displays, lots of good ideas for decorating and home improvement projects, and a photographer’s delight. See http://hsishows.com/wp/indianaflowerandpatioshow/

This one-day festival doesn’t always get a lot of media coverage, but when they turn on the lanterns after dark, this is one of the most beautiful and colorful events in the city, in my opinion, held at Spades Park on Indy’s near east side in August. Food trucks, lots of vendors, a beer garden, and a neighborhood setting combine to make this event so enjoyable. Admission is free, but parking in the neighborhood can be a real challenge. Take your own chair and enjoy a lovely evening (opting for acoustic music would further improve this event, IMO). See https://www.facebook.com/IndyFeast

#2. Circle of Lights Celebration

Circle of Lights on Monument Circle as viewed from the Skyline Club. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2009, all rights reserved.

Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis transforms into a holiday showplace with the lighting of “the world’s tallest Christmas tree,” free live entertainment, and a festive atmosphere. Admission is free, so join me and 100,000 of my closest friends for this annual holiday tradition. See http://www.downtownindy.org/happening-downtown/hot/circle-of-lights/

I’ve been going to the Indiana State Fair since 1953 when I was still in diapers. It’s unquestionably my number one favorite event of the year. There is so much to see and do. You can’t really see it all in one day, but it’s fun to try! I like to ride the shuttle train all the way around the fairgrounds at least once just to see what’s new, then jump off the shuttle and work my way around the fairgrounds on foot.

My mom’s favorite was the quilt display in the Family Arts Building, so I always stop by and view the quilts to honor her memory. My brother played trombone in the Anderson High School marching band that won three consecutive state championships in the late 1950’s. So our family has a long and enjoyable history at the fair. The food is unbeatable, the midway is lively and colorful, the concerts feature national recording artists, the hot air balloon launch is inspirational, and a stop at the Dairy Bar for an official State Fair milk shake is a must. There’s something for everyone. See http://www.in.gov/statefair/

How did I do? What are YOUR favorite Indianapolis and Indiana events of the year? Let me know in the comments because I try to cover as many Indianapolis and Indiana events as possible each year, and I’ll try to get to as many of them as I can.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: AroundIndy.com, LLC received a Media Pass to the 2011 Indiana State Fair, complimentary tickets to the 2012 Indiana State Fair, a 2015 Media Pass, and a media pass to the 2015 Indiana State Fair. You may think I’m biased as a result, but I was going to the fair decades before these complimentary passes were offered.

GreekFest 2015 in Carmel, Indiana marks the 42nd year for what has become one of central Indiana’s oldest and largest ethnic festivals.

Save the date! GreekFest 2015 is a three-day event taking place Friday, August 28, to Sunday, August 30, 2015. Admission is free. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the GreekFest is known for its array of authentic Greek cuisine, fine wines, and fresh pastries, many of which are only available once a year at GreekFest.

GreekFest 2015 features an open marketplace, live Greek music, Church tours, dance performances by the Holy Trinity Hellenic Dance Troupes, authentic food and pastry, children’s activities, local craft beers, and more.

Holy Trinity is a parish that has been on a journey for more than a century in central Indiana. Founded by Greek immigrants who had journeyed themselves to this country, the parish’s first temple was on West Street. By 1961, the Holy Trinity parish had outgrown those facilities and moved to 40th and Pennsylvania Streets. Now, Holy Trinity hosts the GreekFest at the church’s 20-acre campus at 106th and Shelbourne in Carmel, Indiana.